C1nounbusinessenvironment
US/ˈstɑːk.paɪl/
UK/ˈstɒk.paɪl/
a large supply of goods or materials kept ready for future use
In context
The government keeps a stockpile of grain in case of a bad harvest.
The company built up a stockpile of parts before the new tariffs began.
The country's nuclear stockpile has shrunk since the treaty was signed.
Words that go with stockpile
noun + preposition
- stockpile ofThe hospital has a stockpile of masks and gloves.
verb + noun
- build up a stockpileHospitals were told to build up a stockpile of masks.
- draw down the stockpileThey had to draw down the stockpile when imports stopped.
adjective + noun
- large stockpileA large stockpile of oil protected the country from shortages.
- emergency stockpileEvery city keeps an emergency stockpile of clean water.
- nuclear stockpileThe two countries agreed to reduce their nuclear stockpiles.
Common mistakes
Incorrect:
a stockpile of foodsCorrect: a stockpile of food